Mary Allen
The selection of dog leashes is usually unmanageable for the newcomer. The choice of dinnerware is crucial for communication during a walk together. Therefore, when buying a dog leash, you should consider which functions it should fulfill and how you want to be outdoors with your dog. Not the price, but the functionality should be the deciding factor in your purchase decision.
Lead
This universal model is characterized by a snap hook for hanging on the collar or harness and a hand strap that gives the leader a good grip. The guideline is usually 1.5 to 3 meters long. It can be provided with various eyelets to shorten or lengthen it if necessary.
You use this model primarily for puppies and four-legged friends with little going out experience. Since your dog is very close to you, you can control him well and he hears your commands well. This dog leash is also very suitable for the city or for moving forward together in larger crowds of people, as your dog has to walk close to you.
Towline
Many owners of larger and mobile dogs swear by this model. As the name suggests, the four-legged friend drags this dog leash, which is up to 15 meters long, behind him. This has the advantage that the animal can move very freely in nature. However, it is difficult to control the dog. Therefore, you use this version primarily for large breeds that need a lot of exercises. However, you should only use this model if your dog responds well to your command, even in confusing situations and when several dogs are out and about. Because you may be far away if he fights with another of his own kind or if he follows his hunting instincts. Especially with very mobile dogs, it must also be considered that it is usually difficult for the handler to estimate how far the band will actually reach. Is the street 8 or just 5 meters away? In order to protect the dog, it is therefore important to pay attention to the choice of location for using the tow line.
It is recommended for the guide to wear gloves when using a tow line. On the one hand, this makes sense because this line often pulls across the floor and therefore absorbs dirt and moisture. On the other hand, the gloves protect your hands from excessive friction when your four-legged friend moves very quickly and the dog leash then rubs against the skin. Injuries can even occur here. Also, when using the leash, not only does the handler need to be vigilant – since the dog is very mobile, it can use the leash to go around other pedestrians.
Retractable or Flexible Leash
The Flexi leash is equipped with a winding mechanism that only releases as much tape as is currently needed. You can choose between a band of 4 to 10 meters in length. This has the advantage that your dog has a lot of freedom of movement without the leash being pulled through the dirt. However, you have to consider whether this advantage outweighs the disadvantages of the leash: the dog has to exert a certain pull with the retractable leash so that the leash winds up. This should actually be avoided, as the dog should walk freely next to you. In addition, the end of the unrolling process cannot be predicted for the animal. Since the rolling process ends abruptly, it can be very uncomfortable for your four-legged friend if he is braked radically in the sprint. For this reason, the flexible leash must not be used with a simple collar, but should always be combined with a dog harness.
The retractable leashes are particularly suitable for smaller dog breeds such as a beagle or a Yorkshire terrier. Here you can easily control the running behavior. This model is usually not up to the pull of stronger four-legged friends.
Retriever Leash
This model was originally developed for the hunting dog breed. It is also known as a Moxon or Agility line. The retriever leash connects the leash to the collar by threading the leash through a loop. This contracts and loosens again, depending on how the dog reacts to its handler. This can be very useful for training the dog. However, the downside is that your dog will develop avoidance behavior.
The Material for the Dog Leash of Your Choice
In addition to the model, there is also the question of what material it should be made of. Here it is usually personal preferences that decide on the choice since the materials are very stable today.
Nylon
The textile fabric is usually woven in several layers of braided like a round guideline. The nylon fibers are tear-resistant and are considered indestructible. The material is not only very cheap to produce, but it is also very light. Therefore, it is very suitable for the production of towing lines. In a pillowcase, the nylon line can also be washed. Nylon is not only available in many bright colors, there are also models that can be used with reflectors for walking in the dark.
Biothane
The polyester fabric has a plastic coating. It is characterized by high flexibility with great stability. In addition, the material is very robust and durable. Biothane lines are insensitive to different weather conditions, so they remain flexible in extreme cold and do not fade even when exposed to the sun for long periods of time. Biothane linen comes in many different colors. They usually fit better in the hand than models made of nylon. This material is particularly well suited for the rather long towing line, as it does not become soaked with water and thus increases its weight.
Leather
The leather leash is the classic dog leash. The leather can be used in a single layer as a strap for smaller dogs or in multiple layers for stronger animals. It feels very good in the hand, is absolutely tear-resistant, and very durable with regular care with a little leather grease. However, the natural material is somewhat more sensitive to environmental influences and is less suitable for towing lines due to its weight.